I'm skeptical of the organic food movement. OK, I'm skeptical of everything, but we'll discuss that another time. Anyway, despite my skepticism, I've been curious about whether or not organic foods taste better than their chemical-laden, "standard" counterparts, so I will occasionally purchase an organic product to try. I've only found a couple of organic products thus far that are clearly superior to their less natural counterparts. This is one of them:
Yes, Organic Valley 2% milk is WAY better than any other 2% milk I've ever had. It's incredible how much better it is. How it is better is difficult to describe, however. The flavor is "fuller". It tastes more natural--perhaps there are hints of what the cows actually ate (not like I want to taste grass, but whatever). It also tastes like it has more fat in it than the typical 2%, which I consider a big plus. I love whole milk and occasionally buy half a gallon as a treat for myself (Becca won't drink it, because it's too "fattening"--whatever that means), but I can buy this instead and be a little healthier with my milk craving. Speaking of whole milk, I sampled Organic Valley's whole milk offering and didn't like it as much as their 2% offering. It tasted a little too grassy. I just don't need that strong of a reminder about where my milk comes from.
Sadly, my refrigerator will not be stocked regularly with Organic Valley any time soon. A half gallon of Organic Valley costs between $4-5. The last time I bought it, it was "on sale" for $4.09. Hold the phone--major bargain! Since I can usually get a gallon of non-organic milk for less than $3.25, this isn't exactly a steal--it's more like highway robbery, as most organic foods seem to be. Not highway robbery like what my employer charges for USB cables, but I digress. In any case, Organic Valley milk will have to remain a periodic indulgence for me.
I was with a group of colleagues last week, and the subject of culinary indulgences came up. I mentioned how infatuated I was with Organic Valley milk, and they all started laughing at me, as if enjoying milk was the stupidest, most childish thing I could possibly have thought of. Considering how much alcohol some of my friends consume on a regular basis, maybe it is childish, but I don't care. Hot damn, I love milk.
The reason it costs more is that it is much more expensive to produce. We eat (and drink) as much organic as possible and I always think it tastes better. You should try Costco's Kirkland brand organic milk and see what you think, it's at least a little cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look at the Kirkland organic milk, but if it's in those new rectangular gallon containers that they're using for the non-organic milk, count me out. Those things are totally messy.
ReplyDeleteOrganic milk rocks. It does taste better. Sorry I am blog stalking you now. I am not all organic, but I have gone the way of the "natural" food eater. The proof for me is in the pudding, so to speak. When I don't eat certain ingredients I feel better and don't gain weight. My fam calls me a lunatic hippie but I don't care. No hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup in this house.
ReplyDeleteWhat other organic foods do you guys find superior, by the way?
ReplyDeleteStaci, it's hardly blog stalking when you know the person...and besides, I did sign my name when commenting on yours, knowing full well that it would link back to mine. Welcome!
you are cracking me up. i can get that milk for much less at my commissary. but i never buy it. we can't afford it. i just try and buy the hormone free milk. maybe when we're officers i can afford it. you should try cage free brown eggs. so much better......
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